From Linda Riddle Jent:
Dec. 12, 2009Dear Family & Friends,
Here I sit this Christmas season doing something I said I would not do this year ... Write a Christmas letter and send cards. I also said we were going to 'cut back' on gifts (which I have). Yet I still find myself trying to make sure everyone has that special something. I love Christmas, I guess I take that after my Mom, but so many other do too. I love to decorate, look at the tree while sitting quietly in our living room, and yes, wishing for snow. While thinking about a lot of things this past year, I found myself facing things and circumstances I never thought I would actually face or have to deal with. Loved ones that are gone or very sick. Another is my not being able to do with the grand kids things that I would love to do. To have them sit on my lap, to run and play like they want me to.
The past 3 years I have been dealing with chronic back pain. I have seen several doctors, had many different treatments and injections, all leading to surgery this Fall. Only to find out the surgery did not fix the problem. So I am back to seeing other doctors, praying that they can help me with this.
God has used this to show me that I cannot do or fix it all. He has shown me that I must rely on Him even more than I have in the past. he has always been there for me and my family, seen us through a lot, and yet I still find myself trying to 'make everything okay'. Not being able to do a lot physically, He has sent me some help in the way of a beautiful Amish family whom we met last year. The daughters have been helping me with the housework. I am so grateful that God sent them to us. They are a blessing.
Christmas 2008 was here on the farm. Working on the loft for almost 6 months, getting everything ready for 'old-fashioned, homemade Christmas'. We had Santa & also a sleigh ride ... the food was delicious .. but the thing that I loved the most was when my Mom, 79 years young, sat and read to our family the Christmas story from the book of Luke. How I pray that special moment will remain in the hearts of our sons, their wives and their children. Thanks Mom & Pat for all your love, help and support.
Crit is still working, on the road and in the air a lot; we are so thankful that God has blessed us with this job. Tanner & Haylee are in 1st grade, Logan in pre-school, Zoey being cared for by a beautiful young lady from our church. How I miss not having her. Kristie is working part-time; Jamie is still fighting fires. Kerri is teaching 5th grade, Jeremy working his job and going to school full-time to follow in the footsteps of his brother.
Our daughter-in-law Kristie, her father Greg, has gone through so much the past 6 years. This year he lost both legs, but God spared him his life. He has touched this man in a way that only Greg can tell. I am so very thankful that God has kept Greg & his family close to him through all this. Part of him may be missing physically, but he is with his family, alive this Christmas and for that we are thankful. We cannot wait to see him standing, walking & doing some of the things he loved to do.
Crit lost a sister to cancer ... one whom he stayed with while we were dating. She was a special lady and friend to many. I know she will be sadly missed by her family this Christmas.
One of my dearest friends, Lynne, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon-rectal cancer, the cancer spreading to other areas. I cannot begin to tell you how bad this has been for Lynne, but God has so many 'angels' looking down on her and has carried so many prayers up to heaven on her behalf. She could not believe the out-pouring of cards, letters & emails that people have sent her. The prayers have worked. Lynne went for her PET scan the week of Thanksgiving and praise the Lord!, she shows no signs of cancer. She will be on a treatment plan consisting of oral chemo for the rest of her life, but the doctors told her to 'keep praying because prayer has worked". I love you Lynne (aka Erline) and miss you so much.
Our daughter-in-law Kerri, her mother, Aline, has been going through a lot of health issues also. Having had a kidney removed previously from cancer, the doctors thought it may have returned. Going through a lot of tests, our prayers were again answered ... no cancer! She had her gall bladder removed on Thanksgiving and was able to come for a visit this week.
Our neighbor and friend, Mira, caring for her mother for the last year or so, taking her to dialysis 3 times a week, spending lots of restless nites caring for her. Losing her this Summer took its toll, but God was good also. The 'calm & peace' that was in Mira's voice the night she called to tell us "Mom has gone home", as hard as it was to hear those words, God gave Mira Peace.
My sister Pat, having major surgery late this Summer, but she went in knowing that God had given her Peace and all would be okay and it was.
I am sure there are others that I am forgetting, but God knows who you are. God knows my heart also. The prayers that are embedded deeply there, praying for them to be answered in His way, not perhaps, mine.
We are so blessed to be able to watch our grand-children run, play and fish here on the farm. Pretty soon they will be tagging along behind their Dads, going after the big buck! To see how much they enjoy here, the simple things ... a walk down the '2-trac', lots of rides on Papaw's tractor, looking for rocks, casting a line in the pond. Feeding & caring for their chickens. I still choke up when it is time for them to leave.
Getting back to the 'no cards this year'. While driving our grandson Tanner & grand-daughter Zoey home a couple of weeks ago, we were noticing all the pretty lights and decorations in our home town of Coldwater. They have Santa standing very tall on the main corner of town, but on the other side lay the 'baby Jesus'. We are still able to display a nativity, giving us the real meaning of Christmas.
Tanner spoke up and asked me "Mamaw, what do you want for Christmas this year?" I thought a moment before answering and then I replied, "Peace ... I would love to have Peace". He replied "you can't get that for Christmas" .... and I said "Maybe I can". He asked me how and I said "I pray for Peace and God hears our prayers, so I pray He answers this one". He then said, "For real, what would you like to get...maybe some new pajamas, would you like some new pajamas?" (He has seen me in a lot of them lately). I told him that would be great and Zoey added "Yeah, some new jammies Mamaw". The innocence of being a child. Young enough to still believe, young enough not to know all the wrong in the world, hearts feeling some pain of their own.
So here I sit, knowing I still have presents to put the last little touches on, yet thinking of that little conversation a few weeks back, and wishing for Peace. So much is going on in our world. Soldiers leaving to fight a war, away from their loved ones, to protect ours this Christmas Day. Loved ones, even in our family, losing their jobs after working and giving for over 20 years. We hear that things won't get much better, yet I still hope and I pray for Peace. Praying that God would have mercy on our country once again and see us through another day, another year. To restore America back to its roots and yes, give us Peace. Perhaps this isn't the most traditional letter for Christmas, yet it is something I truly wanted to share.
To thank God for all He has done, is still doing and will continue to do. Thanking Him for sending us His Son .. JESUS, the real meaning of Christmas. For sending us, over 2 thousand years ago, PEACE. I cannot imagine how Mary must have felt on that night, giving birth to her son in a stable. Yet the story is so tender to my heart. What did she feel, knowing she was looking into the eyes of our Savior? Thinking of those that came from afar and yes, bringing Him gifts. The night so dark, yet the stars shined so bright, the brightest One lying in a manger. How I wish for such peace, not just on earth, but in the deepest part of our hearts. I wish for, as Amy Grant sings, "A Silent Night, a Holy Night", a little peace right here.
So Tanner, I guess I can say, God has already given me my gift. It didn't cost anyone anything, except Christ Himself. Now I need to accept it deep within my heart...knowing that He has my life in His hands. Things may not be going so well for a lot of us ... but we truly need to realize and be thankful for what God has done ...giving us His Son to love us, to care for us and die for us. To be ever so thankful that we can be with those that we love, that they are healthy and hopefully happy.
So from our hearts to your home .... we wish you Peace. Peace on Earth & Goodwill to you all. Wishing that the things that need to be fixed can be fixed. Wishing that the doors of employment would be opened for those in need, wishing health for those that are sick and hurting. Wishing "Hope" for the hopeless and to everyone, again, I wish you Peace.
May God reveal the meaning of this Christmas Day deep within your hearts ... we love you all.
Merry Christmas and May God continue to bless you.
Love,
Linda & Crit
Here I sit this Christmas season doing something I said I would not do this year ... Write a Christmas letter and send cards. I also said we were going to 'cut back' on gifts (which I have). Yet I still find myself trying to make sure everyone has that special something. I love Christmas, I guess I take that after my Mom, but so many other do too. I love to decorate, look at the tree while sitting quietly in our living room, and yes, wishing for snow. While thinking about a lot of things this past year, I found myself facing things and circumstances I never thought I would actually face or have to deal with. Loved ones that are gone or very sick. Another is my not being able to do with the grand kids things that I would love to do. To have them sit on my lap, to run and play like they want me to.
The past 3 years I have been dealing with chronic back pain. I have seen several doctors, had many different treatments and injections, all leading to surgery this Fall. Only to find out the surgery did not fix the problem. So I am back to seeing other doctors, praying that they can help me with this.
God has used this to show me that I cannot do or fix it all. He has shown me that I must rely on Him even more than I have in the past. he has always been there for me and my family, seen us through a lot, and yet I still find myself trying to 'make everything okay'. Not being able to do a lot physically, He has sent me some help in the way of a beautiful Amish family whom we met last year. The daughters have been helping me with the housework. I am so grateful that God sent them to us. They are a blessing.
Christmas 2008 was here on the farm. Working on the loft for almost 6 months, getting everything ready for 'old-fashioned, homemade Christmas'. We had Santa & also a sleigh ride ... the food was delicious .. but the thing that I loved the most was when my Mom, 79 years young, sat and read to our family the Christmas story from the book of Luke. How I pray that special moment will remain in the hearts of our sons, their wives and their children. Thanks Mom & Pat for all your love, help and support.
Crit is still working, on the road and in the air a lot; we are so thankful that God has blessed us with this job. Tanner & Haylee are in 1st grade, Logan in pre-school, Zoey being cared for by a beautiful young lady from our church. How I miss not having her. Kristie is working part-time; Jamie is still fighting fires. Kerri is teaching 5th grade, Jeremy working his job and going to school full-time to follow in the footsteps of his brother.
Our daughter-in-law Kristie, her father Greg, has gone through so much the past 6 years. This year he lost both legs, but God spared him his life. He has touched this man in a way that only Greg can tell. I am so very thankful that God has kept Greg & his family close to him through all this. Part of him may be missing physically, but he is with his family, alive this Christmas and for that we are thankful. We cannot wait to see him standing, walking & doing some of the things he loved to do.
Crit lost a sister to cancer ... one whom he stayed with while we were dating. She was a special lady and friend to many. I know she will be sadly missed by her family this Christmas.
One of my dearest friends, Lynne, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon-rectal cancer, the cancer spreading to other areas. I cannot begin to tell you how bad this has been for Lynne, but God has so many 'angels' looking down on her and has carried so many prayers up to heaven on her behalf. She could not believe the out-pouring of cards, letters & emails that people have sent her. The prayers have worked. Lynne went for her PET scan the week of Thanksgiving and praise the Lord!, she shows no signs of cancer. She will be on a treatment plan consisting of oral chemo for the rest of her life, but the doctors told her to 'keep praying because prayer has worked". I love you Lynne (aka Erline) and miss you so much.
Our daughter-in-law Kerri, her mother, Aline, has been going through a lot of health issues also. Having had a kidney removed previously from cancer, the doctors thought it may have returned. Going through a lot of tests, our prayers were again answered ... no cancer! She had her gall bladder removed on Thanksgiving and was able to come for a visit this week.
Our neighbor and friend, Mira, caring for her mother for the last year or so, taking her to dialysis 3 times a week, spending lots of restless nites caring for her. Losing her this Summer took its toll, but God was good also. The 'calm & peace' that was in Mira's voice the night she called to tell us "Mom has gone home", as hard as it was to hear those words, God gave Mira Peace.
My sister Pat, having major surgery late this Summer, but she went in knowing that God had given her Peace and all would be okay and it was.
I am sure there are others that I am forgetting, but God knows who you are. God knows my heart also. The prayers that are embedded deeply there, praying for them to be answered in His way, not perhaps, mine.
We are so blessed to be able to watch our grand-children run, play and fish here on the farm. Pretty soon they will be tagging along behind their Dads, going after the big buck! To see how much they enjoy here, the simple things ... a walk down the '2-trac', lots of rides on Papaw's tractor, looking for rocks, casting a line in the pond. Feeding & caring for their chickens. I still choke up when it is time for them to leave.
Getting back to the 'no cards this year'. While driving our grandson Tanner & grand-daughter Zoey home a couple of weeks ago, we were noticing all the pretty lights and decorations in our home town of Coldwater. They have Santa standing very tall on the main corner of town, but on the other side lay the 'baby Jesus'. We are still able to display a nativity, giving us the real meaning of Christmas.
Tanner spoke up and asked me "Mamaw, what do you want for Christmas this year?" I thought a moment before answering and then I replied, "Peace ... I would love to have Peace". He replied "you can't get that for Christmas" .... and I said "Maybe I can". He asked me how and I said "I pray for Peace and God hears our prayers, so I pray He answers this one". He then said, "For real, what would you like to get...maybe some new pajamas, would you like some new pajamas?" (He has seen me in a lot of them lately). I told him that would be great and Zoey added "Yeah, some new jammies Mamaw". The innocence of being a child. Young enough to still believe, young enough not to know all the wrong in the world, hearts feeling some pain of their own.
So here I sit, knowing I still have presents to put the last little touches on, yet thinking of that little conversation a few weeks back, and wishing for Peace. So much is going on in our world. Soldiers leaving to fight a war, away from their loved ones, to protect ours this Christmas Day. Loved ones, even in our family, losing their jobs after working and giving for over 20 years. We hear that things won't get much better, yet I still hope and I pray for Peace. Praying that God would have mercy on our country once again and see us through another day, another year. To restore America back to its roots and yes, give us Peace. Perhaps this isn't the most traditional letter for Christmas, yet it is something I truly wanted to share.
To thank God for all He has done, is still doing and will continue to do. Thanking Him for sending us His Son .. JESUS, the real meaning of Christmas. For sending us, over 2 thousand years ago, PEACE. I cannot imagine how Mary must have felt on that night, giving birth to her son in a stable. Yet the story is so tender to my heart. What did she feel, knowing she was looking into the eyes of our Savior? Thinking of those that came from afar and yes, bringing Him gifts. The night so dark, yet the stars shined so bright, the brightest One lying in a manger. How I wish for such peace, not just on earth, but in the deepest part of our hearts. I wish for, as Amy Grant sings, "A Silent Night, a Holy Night", a little peace right here.
So Tanner, I guess I can say, God has already given me my gift. It didn't cost anyone anything, except Christ Himself. Now I need to accept it deep within my heart...knowing that He has my life in His hands. Things may not be going so well for a lot of us ... but we truly need to realize and be thankful for what God has done ...giving us His Son to love us, to care for us and die for us. To be ever so thankful that we can be with those that we love, that they are healthy and hopefully happy.
So from our hearts to your home .... we wish you Peace. Peace on Earth & Goodwill to you all. Wishing that the things that need to be fixed can be fixed. Wishing that the doors of employment would be opened for those in need, wishing health for those that are sick and hurting. Wishing "Hope" for the hopeless and to everyone, again, I wish you Peace.
May God reveal the meaning of this Christmas Day deep within your hearts ... we love you all.
Merry Christmas and May God continue to bless you.
Love,
Linda & Crit
